Investigation of a Plasma Edge Cathode Under High Current Density Electron Extraction
Abstract
A scheme with the potential for generation of an electron beam with high brightness and several microsec pulse duration for microwave generation, electron accelerators or free electron lasers has been investigated experimentally. An electron beam was extracted transversely to the flow of a plasma jet. The transverse boundary of the plasma allowed extraction of a space charge limited electron current for 7 microsec at a current density of 18 A/sq cm. A normalized microscopic brightness of 8x10 to the 8 th power a per sq. m per sq rad was achieved. Closure of the extraction gap by invasion of plasma has been observed with a velocity as low as 0.1 cm/microsec. Higher current density and higher brightness is expected for higher plasma densities and larger extraction fields. Numerical simulation using the MAGIC code confirmed the expected features of the scheme.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 05, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA244290
Entities
People
- Klaus W. Zieher
Organizations
- Texas Tech University